It’s down to you to choose which TV shows and stars will win at this year’s National Television Awards on September 8…
Television’s biggest stars will be rolling out the glamour at London’s O2 Arena as the NTAs return live on Tuesday September 8. Expect dazzling gowns, sharp tuxedos and plenty of unforgettable moments as Joel Dommett once again hosts the glittering celebration of the nation’s favourite TV shows and stars. Proud NTAs partner What’s On TV is giving our readers an exclusive early look at some of the standout names on the long-list of nominees well ahead of the big night so you have the chance to get voting now. Every winner is decided by viewers, so the power is entirely in your hands!
This year we’ve been spoiled by some gripping dramas, so the New Drama award will be one of the night’s biggest battles, with A Woman Of Substance, Death Valley, The Other Bennet Sister, The Girlfriend, The War Between the Land & The Sea and Riot Women all vying against each other.
Meanwhile, the Returning Drama gong sees a slew of binge-watchable shows up for a gong, including Blue Lights, Grace, Death In Paradise, Call The Midwife, Shetland and The Night Manager. The top actors long-listed Drama Performance include Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Holliday Grainger (The Capture), Sheridan Smith (The Cage) and Ruth Jones (The Other Bennet Sister), so it really is hard to pick a favourite!
It’s also been a bumper year for reality shows, with The Celebrity Traitors gaining a massive audience last October as mega-Traitor Alan Carr swept through the Faithfuls, but it will battling for votes with Love Island, The Apprentice and Race Across The World.
Sir David Attenborough marks his centenary year by scoring a rare ‘fivesome’ in the Factual Entertainment category, with Secret Garden, Parenthood, Kingdom, Wild London and A Gorilla Story all up for gongs. More heartfelt and inspiring stories compete for the Authored Documentary award with moving tributes in Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth and Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home.
There’s plenty of family fun leads for the Comedy gong, with Amandaland, Here We Go and Changing Ends all strong contenders.
The headline-hitting soap event of the year was of course January’s huge crossover episode Corriedale, so will either Coronation Street or Emmerdale take home the coveted Serial Drama accolade? Title holders EastEnders could give them a run for their soap money! Among the soap actors in line for the Serial Drama Performance are Paul Bradley (EastEnders), Joshua Richards (Emmerdale) and Sue Davaney (Corrie) plus Casualty stars Milo Clarke, William Beck and Melanie Hill.
Last year saw a major NTAs surprise as Gary Lineker finally broke Ant and Dec’s 23-year winning streak for TV Presenter. Can the Geordie duo grab back their crown? Or could this be the year for Alison Hammond, Claudia Winkleman, Alan Carr, Bradley Walsh or Joel Dommett?
With the voting now open, it’s up to you to choose!
How to vote in the National Television Awards 2026!
Voting in the National Television Awards 2026! is easy as you can vote free online at nationaltvawards.com. All votes must be in by 11pm on Friday May 29 2026. The NTA shortlist will be revealed here in What’s On TV in August when the final round of voting begins. Winners will be announced live at the ceremony on ITV on 8 September 2026 (see full Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice at nationaltvawards.com).
You can be at the National Television Awards 2026!!
Join host Joel Dommett and hundreds of your favourite telly stars for a night to remember on 8 September 2026 at London’s O2 by visiting nationaltvawards.com for tickets.